In nearly every political campaign, there’s always someone who thinks they can outsmart the system and commit fraud. While most canvassers are hardworking and honest, a handful might cut corners or outright fabricate data. The good news is there are proven methods to prevent and catch this fraud before it spirals into a system-wide problem.
Maintaining data integrity is one of the most critical aspects of any campaign. Fake data not only wastes valuable resources but also prevents campaigns from acting on accurate voter sentiment. When campaigns rely on inaccurate data, it can lead to poor strategy decisions and missed opportunities. In this blog, we’ll discuss the most common types of door-to-door fraud and the tools you can use to catch and prevent it.
Types of Door-to-Door Fraud
GPS Spoofing
Canvassers use scrambling software that attaches to door-knocking apps, allowing them to fake their location and appear as though they’re knocking on doors.
Park and Mark
Canvassers drive into a driveway, mark the door as completed, and drive off without ever knocking.
Door Dropping
Canvassers leave a door hanger but never actually knock, moving quickly through the neighborhood without making real contact.
Lone Rangers
Canvassers mark doors as complete while sitting in their hotel rooms, homes, or restaurants, never visiting the addresses.
Tools to Detect and Prevent Fraud
1. Door-Knocking Software
Having the right software is the first step in catching fraud. A good door-knocking app can track canvasser locations and monitor their speed at doors. Our favorite is Campaign Sidekick, now known as Pulsar. This software offers real-time GPS tracking and flags unusual activity logs, such as canvassers moving too quickly through a neighborhood.
Key Red Flags:
Canvassers are thousands of feet away from the doors they marked as completed.
Hitting more than 26-27 doors per hour in high-density areas under ideal conditions.
Contact rates below 15% or above 30%, which can indicate "park and mark" or "door dropping."
By reviewing this data, campaigns can quickly identify fraud and take corrective action, including terminating the fraudulent canvasser.
2. Voter File with Phone Numbers
A full voter file with phone numbers is essential for Quality Control Checks. If you’re unsure about a canvasser’s performance, the data provided by your door-knocking app will allow you to identify addresses and voters they claimed to contact.
How to Use It:
Call voters to confirm whether they spoke with a canvasser.
Ask specific questions about their interaction to verify authenticity.
This tool not only confirms fraud but also builds credibility by demonstrating to voters that the campaign values integrity.
3. On-the-Ground Auditors
Technology alone can’t catch every fraudster. That’s why on-the-ground auditors are critical for reinforcing accountability. Auditors conduct post-checks while canvassers are working to catch fraud in real time.
Why It Works:
Auditors can physically verify canvassers are knocking doors.
Knowing that managers might pop up unannounced discourages fraud.
GPS spoofing tools are ineffective when paired with in-person audits.
Auditors are especially useful for monitoring large campaigns with high canvasser volumes, where fraud is more likely to go unnoticed without direct oversight.
Black Peak: Experts at Fraud Prevention and Detection
Fraud in door-to-door canvassing can undermine an entire campaign, but with the right systems and processes, it’s entirely preventable. From software tracking and voter verification to in-person auditing, every campaign should have a plan to combat fraud. At Black Peak, we’ve mastered these methods and are ready to help your campaign maintain data integrity and achieve success.
Don’t let fraud derail your efforts—partner with Black Peak and take the guesswork out of canvassing oversight. Learn more at www.blackpeakllc.com
Comments